Johan stepped forward and picked up the quietly resting Friend Ball from the ground, showing some helplessness on his face.
"Tsundere... my reputation as a Pokémon psychologist almost got ruined."
He had used the [Pokédex] to check Snivy's status before.
But...
Everyone knew that tsunderes were moody, and the information the [Pokédex] showed one second could be vastly different from what it showed the next second.
[Snivy] [Type: Grass] [Ability: Contrary] [Known Moves: Tackle, Leer, Vine Whip, Wrap, Synthesis, Slam, Leaf Blade, Coil, Giga Drain...] [Mood: Nervous, anxious] [Status: Poor (exhausted, seriously injured, needs rest)] [Friendship: 60 (Hard to tell its true feelings from appearance alone)]
If not for the [Friendship] value giving Johan some confidence, he wouldn't have known whether to throw the ball at the end.
"So Contrary isn't just a move ability, but also a 'personality trait.'" Johan murmured half-jokingly.
What Snivy did versus what it truly thought in its heart really did match the "Contrary" trait.
As for the "Contrary" ability itself, it was incredibly powerful.
[Contrary: Pokémon with this ability experience reversed effects when their stats are changed - stat increases become decreases, and stat decreases become increases.]
Simply put, it reverses stat changes.
For example, Swords Dance could raise a Pokémon's Attack by two levels, but if a Pokémon with the "Contrary" ability used Swords Dance, not only would its stats not increase, they would actually decrease by two levels.
Even a powerful move like Swords Dance became trash in the hands of a "Contrary" Pokémon.
But the benefit of Contrary was that when opponents who didn't know about this ability tried to lower its stats, it would actually gain stat boosts instead.
Like the common "Intimidate" ability.
Of course, if used properly, this ability could be incredibly overpowered.
Snivy's final evolution was Serperior, and Contrary Serperior was a little combo Johan had encountered before, precisely because they could master one move - Leaf Storm!
The Grass-type move Leaf Storm had a terrifying power of 130, same as the Dragon-type ultimate move Draco Meteor. After use, it would severely lower the user's Special Attack.
But combined with "Contrary," what you got was a massive Special Attack boost instead!
That was terrifying.
Dealing super-high damage while continuously boosting your own stats.
It was one of the optimal uses of this ability.
Additionally, after the ninth generation's Terastallization appeared, more precisely after "Stellar Tera" appeared, using "Tera Blast" became another solution.
In any case.
Whether for Snivy or its final evolution Serperior, Leaf Storm was a crucial move.
But unfortunately.
The little one hadn't learned it yet.
However, precisely because of this, Snivy made Johan value it even more.
Without knowing Leaf Storm, it could still take on Froslass one-on-one and display such strength...
More importantly.
It had hardly been trained by any trainer.
Snivy's potential was definitely quite good.
Of course, to achieve such strength, Snivy must have endured considerable hardship.
Naturally, for Johan, the most important thing was that Snivy was a Grass-type Pokémon!
And it had Synthesis in its move list.
Just looking at it... was very reassuring.
So satisfying~
Inside the Friend Ball, Snivy was somewhat restless and uneasy, frantically looking around.
Until it saw Johan staring at it through the transparent glass surface of the Poké Ball and caught that familiar scent, it finally relaxed.
It plopped down on the soft cushion, glanced at Johan again, then couldn't help curling its lip.
"Sni."
Idiot.
As it relaxed mentally, fatigue immediately washed over it.
It had been exhausted this day.
First half of the day battling Froslass, tracking Pokémon Hunters, then fighting alongside Zeraora against the Pokémon Hunters' Pokémon, getting injured and exhausted multiple times.
"Sni!"
Snivy wrinkled its nose.
If I wasn't tired, could he have caught me so easily?
Hmph!
Must be because I was too tired.
Thinking this way, Snivy's mind relaxed even more. It lay on the soft cushion inside the Poké Ball, slowly closed its eyes, and began breathing evenly.
Looking at Snivy falling asleep, Johan grinned.
Grass-type, hey, got one!
Actually counting, among his Pokémon, only Normal, Bug, and Psychic types weren't covered.
"Caught it?" Seeing Johan pick up the Friend Ball, Cynthia approached.
Then Gengar, Larvitar and other "Old Johan Family" Pokémon gathered around.
New family member!
"Ka-kaah."
Gengar rubbed its chin.
What kind of welcome ceremony should we give it later?
"Yoji~"
Larvitar was grinning stupidly.
This was a "real little brother," not like Victini and Regieleki who were simply and naively given the "little brother" title.
If Johan had noticed what Larvitar was thinking, he probably would have thrown cold water on it.
Who exactly was the "little brother" was still unclear.
"Caught it." Johan nodded, shrinking the Friend Ball and putting it back on his waist.
Let the little one rest well first, then introduce it to everyone when it woke up.
"They're still waiting for you over there." Cynthia glanced toward Mayor Ollivier and the others.
Right.
The Pokémon Catch Race!
Because of the sudden "Spore Medicine" outbreak, the "Pokémon Catch Race" had been forcibly interrupted.
But based on the quantity and quality of Pokémon Gengar had caught, winning was undisputable.
Z-Crystal!
When Johan walked over, Mayor Ollivier's secretary was already standing nearby holding an exquisite box.
This box was exactly what had been displayed during the "Pokémon Catch Race" earlier - the box containing the Z-Crystal.
"Teacher Johan, after our emergency calculations, you undisputedly won this 'Pokémon Catch Race' championship. Congratulations!" Mayor Ollivier smiled broadly and extended his hand in congratulation.
Originally, the Z-Crystal as a prize was meant to attract Lugia.
Now Lugia had not only come, but even brought a little Lugia.
It could be said the mission was completed beyond expectations.
As for... Lugia coming because of Johan rather than the friendly relationship between humans and Pokémon displayed by the competition, that wasn't important.
"Ka-kaah~ Ka-kaah~"
Gengar stepped past Johan and, under Ollivier's bewildered gaze, grabbed his hand.
Hahaha, congratulations all around~
Then it stared expectantly at the plain trophy and the box containing the Z-Crystal.
Johan smiled helplessly.
No choice, Gengar really had put in the effort for this competition.
Then the mayor's secretary, equally bewildered, handed the box and trophy to Gengar.
"Ka-kaah!!"
Gengar held the trophy in one hand and the prize in the other, raising them overhead in celebration.
Now, I'm also a champion!
Ollivier and his secretary exchanged glances.
Were Teacher Johan's Pokémon all this unique?
Gengar happily held the trophy and directly shoved the box to Johan.
Prize?
I want the trophy!
Opening the box.
Hm?
Seeing what was inside, Johan was stunned.
Because there wasn't just one Electric Z-Crystal inside, but also a grass-green crystal that looked like jade.
A Grass-type Z-Crystal?
Ollivier quickly explained:
"One is the prize, the other is thanks for Teacher Johan and your help to our Fula City."
A thank-you gift.
Hearing this, Johan showed some realization.
Wait.
Taking a thank-you gift meant he couldn't casually claim reimbursement, right?
But thinking again, wasn't one Z-Crystal worth more than reimbursement fees?
"Grass Z." He picked up the Grass-type Z-Crystal from the box, gently rubbing it twice.
"Fula City only had two Z-Crystals in stock. We were worried Teacher Johan couldn't use the Grass-type Z-Crystal, but now that you've caught Snivy... it's perfect timing." Ollivier smiled.
Indeed.
Originally Johan could have sold the extra Z-Crystal for money, but now he couldn't.
With Snivy's competitive personality, if it learned Johan had sold a Z-Crystal matching its type, wouldn't it stomp on his head in the middle of the night?
So...
Future goals: Normal Z, Bug Z, and Psychic Z!
Johan set his targets.
"Thank you."
He didn't pretend to be polite and accepted both Z-Crystals.
Useless items +2
Couldn't muster much joy.
Seeing Johan accept them, Ollivier felt relieved.
Good that he accepted them.
He needed to build a good relationship with Teacher Johan.
Just with his relationship with Lugia and little Lugia, if Fula City invited him to future Wind Festivals, wouldn't Lugia definitely come too?
Ollivier had his own little calculations.
"Mayor Ollivier." After putting away the Z-Crystals, Johan asked: "Will there still be a fireworks show tonight given today's situation?"
Ollivier was stunned.
Then he smiled: "There will be. The spore mist didn't affect the pre-prepared fireworks, and everyone..."
He looked around at everyone's faces showing "post-disaster" smiles, then said seriously: "Everyone also needs a grand celebration to soothe their frightened state."
"That's good." Johan smiled.
He had "lured" Cynthia here with the summer fireworks festival. If it got cancelled... while understandable given circumstances, it would be somewhat imperfect.
"Then Teacher Johan, I'll go handle other matters first."
After saying goodbye, Mayor Ollivier hurried off to deal with other issues.
One spore mist had nearly paralyzed all of Fula City, with countless matters requiring the mayor's attention.
Moreover, the power plant had only been restored to basic function by Johan and needed professional inspection, or who knew when it might catch fire again.
"Fula City is quite wealthy." Looking at Ollivier's departing car, Johan smacked his lips.
Taking out two Z-Crystals just like that.
"Got your prize?"
Seeing Johan walking over with a smile, Cynthia asked with a laugh.
"There's a share for you too."
"Mine?" Cynthia looked surprised.
Then Johan briefly explained.
That Grass-type Z-Crystal as a "thank-you gift" was actually from Ollivier representing Fula City to both him and Cynthia. Keeping it all would be inappropriate.
Moreover, Cynthia also had Roserade, a Grass-type Pokémon that could use it.
"Keep it yourself." But Cynthia directly refused.
"Eh?"
"I'm not used to Z-Moves."
Everyone had their own choices for Pokémon enhancement methods.
Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, Terastallization, etc.
Most people, due to ability, funding, preference and other factors, typically chose only one.
Johan opened his mouth, feeling somewhat regretful.
Too bad... couldn't see Cynthia dance.
Also couldn't "smoothly" share the Grass Z, and if Cynthia had taken it then given him money, that would be wonderful.
"One is enough for me." Saying this, Cynthia rolled up her sleeve, revealing the snow-white wrist with a Z-Ring and the Dragon Z on it.
Tsk.
Another reversal.
Pokémon enhancement methods were diverse, and some naturally conflicted.
For example, Mega Evolution definitely couldn't be used with Dynamax, and Z-Moves couldn't be used with Dynamax or Terastallization, since Dynamax moves were all Max Moves, and Terastallization moves got Tera boosts.
But whether Mega Evolution and Z-Moves could be used together... Johan had never tried.
"Alright then." Johan "reluctantly" put away the Grass Z again.
Cynthia blinked. "Aren't you going to show some appreciation?"
"Appreciation?"
She held up one finger with some playfulness: "One ice cream!"
Then very seriously added:
"Extra large!"
Looking at her serious yet cute expression, Johan couldn't help but laugh.
He sighed lightly.
"Sigh—"
"What?"
One ice cream and you're sighing...
Johan looked up at a forty-five degree angle, quite "melancholy":
"Changed, everything's changed."
"What changed?"
"Rich lady doesn't send money anymore, started deducting from me instead..."
Cynthia was stunned, meeting Johan's teasing gaze, then immediately raised her fist.
"Looking for trouble!"
"Garruu—!!"
Garchomp was delighted.
Let go, let me do it!
Night fell completely.
On the beach of the Wind Festival venue island.
The gentle sea breeze blew past, carrying the fresh scent of seawater mixed with some moisture and seaweed smell, creating rippling waves.
"Today... doesn't seem suitable for fireworks?"
Cynthia sat on the beach hugging her knees, looking at the black velvet-like clouds in the sky, speaking softly.
Many people on the beach shared similar thoughts.
No matter how you looked at it... it seemed like rain was coming.
Even the moon was gray and hazy.
Fula City's day had really been troubled from start to finish. When the moon first rose, it had been fine.
"No." Johan stood up. "Today, even if Kyogre came, it couldn't make it rain on me!"
Saying this, he called out:
"Lugia!"
"Bwooo—"
Above, Lugia, who was taking a post-dinner stroll with its child, heard Johan's call.
"Please, make the weather clear."
Don't want to see rain?
Simple.
What humans couldn't do, let legendary Pokémon handle!
"Bwooo~"
Lugia nodded.
Legend said Lugia could make a city rain for forty straight days with just a light flap of its wings.
Although later, due to Kyogre's appearance, its "Sea God" legend became a joke, as the "Ocean Current God," it could still easily control weather.
"Bwooo bwooo~~"
Little Lugia seemed more excited, flapping its wings and following its mother, vigorously flapping its wings. Then the clouds in the sky... drifted away a tiny bit.
"Bwooo!"
Little Lugia puffed out its cheeks.
Lugia gently patted its head, as if saying watch and learn.
Whoosh—
As Lugia's wings flapped, the clouds in the sky visibly retreated, and crystalline moonlight poured down like a waterfall again.
"Look."
Johan pointed at the round moon in the sky.
Cynthia faced the wind, tying back her golden hair and smiling:
"Johan, having legendary Pokémon exert themselves like this..."
"It's fine, we're all friends. No need for politeness." Johan waved his hand, sitting beside her.
Friends.
Not many people could be friends with legendary Pokémon, right?
"At worst, I'll treat them to dinner sometime!"
Nothing couldn't be solved with one meal, if not, then two!
Bang!!
Instantly, a brilliant firework burst in the night sky, dyeing it in rainbow colors.
Johan took out two pre-prepared sparklers from his pocket like presenting treasure, smiling:
"Fireworks festival, of course we have to set off our own too."
Sizzle sizzle sizzle—
Starlight reflected in Cynthia's eyes.
She watched this scene, slowly leaning on Johan's shoulder, quietly saying nothing.
As if in this moment, she just wanted to silently appreciate the fireworks, or perhaps just feel Johan's warmth.
"Ka-kaah~"
Dragonite, Urshifu, Gengar, Ceruledge, Ninetales, Regieleki, Tinkaton, Larvitar, Victini, Rotom, and Zygarde core sat in a row from big to small, watching the fireworks in the sky.
Gengar remembered the last time watching fireworks, there had only been it, Johan, and little Vulpix then.
"Oowoo."
Ninetales rested its head, smiling.
In just one short year, everyone... had grown so much.
Dragonite and Urshifu didn't have such complex thoughts, just thinking... so pretty, no wonder so many people liked watching fireworks.
"Yoji!"
Larvitar pointed at a firework that had just burst in the sky.
Doesn't that look like me!
[That's clearly Kommo-o.] Zygarde core said.
"Yoji."
Really? Clearly as handsome as me...
Zygarde core rolled its eyes.
Sure enough, trainers and Pokémon became alike after being together long - Larvitar was just as narcissistic as that human!
Zygarde core held its head high, imagining its complete form.
[Nothing's as handsome as my complete recovery form.]
It felt quite smug.
"Cha!"
Hey! It's a big bird!
Talonflame's firework excited Tinkaton.
"Garruu."
Coach Bear looked at Ceruledge.
Want to compete who can sit longer?
Ceruledge tilted its head, looking at Coach Bear like looking at an idiot.
"Goka?"
What's there to compete about?
Did training meditation make you stupid, Coach Bear?
Among martial artists, one emphasized movement and stillness - controlling movement with stillness, defeating effort with ease, overcoming hardness with softness to achieve victory through minimal effort.
Current Coach Bear had switched from non-stop punching to "sitting meditation" training mode.
"Garruu." Urshifu picked its ear.
You competing or not?
"Goka?"
What's the stakes?
"Garruu." Urshifu grinned.
If you win, I'll call you impressive!
"Goka!"
Let's compete!
For males, no one could escape the phrase "call you impressive" - it was the "biggest" bet.
Male Pokémon were the same.
Getting the answer, Urshifu grinned.
Heh.
"Garruu zzZ"
It held its head high and fell asleep.
Ceruledge: "???"
Buzz—
A Poké Ball on Johan's waist opened by itself. Snivy, having slept enough, stretched and lazily looked at the two figures nestled together, curled its lip, then walked toward Gengar and the others.
"Yoji!"
Larvitar squeezed next to Tinkaton, then patted the ground, indicating for Snivy to sit over.
By size, it should sit between Larvitar and Rotom.
But after scanning around, Snivy's eyes lit up.
Using vines to wrap around Dragonite's antennae, it climbed onto the biggest Dragonite's head, standing proudly.
"Sni!"
Your queen has returned!
All Pokémon: "???"
Under a tree by the beach, Zeraora crossed its arms, watching this scene, but somehow couldn't maintain its serious expression.
"Zeraaa."
Perhaps humans really were different from each other.
And perhaps the past was truly past...
"Zeraaa!"
Zeraora regained its composure and silently transformed into blue lightning, disappearing.
"Zeraora? Zeraora?"
Risa turned around to find Zeraora gone and couldn't help showing disappointment.
But she quickly brightened up.
Because she found only a fruit core remained from the delivered fruits.
After delivering food to Zeraora so many times, this was the first time it had eaten.
Beside the core was what looked like an aged, oddly-shaped whistle-like instrument with a strand of golden fur floating on it.
Risa hurried forward, carefully holding the instrument in her palm.
She understood.
Zeraora meant that when she needed it, she could blow this whistle and Zeraora would appear.
"Zeraora..." Risa whispered softly: "I just hope you... live a little happier."
On the rooftop, Zeraora watched this scene, its eyes flickering.
The gentle sea breeze blew, the sound of waves lapping the beach was covered by fireworks. Johan and Cynthia sat quietly, watching the sparklers in their hands burn out, but the flowing light in their eyes didn't disappear.
"Cynthia." Johan spoke softly.
Cynthia's eyes shimmered, her flushed face seeming to make everything else pale. Before Johan could finish, she lifted her head slightly.
One touch, one peck.
Johan froze in place, feeling the slight moisture on his cheek, with a... dreamlike, floating feeling throughout his body.
"I like you." Cynthia's voice, soft as a mosquito, gently sounded in his ear.
Johan, coming to his senses, grabbed her hand.
No good, about to float away.
Two days later, evening.
"Going back to Sinnoh tomorrow?"
Hearing this news suddenly, Johan felt quite surprised.
Cynthia tied up her hair, somewhat helpless and reluctant, but still said:
"I've already taken four days off, tomorrow makes five."
Already five days?
Johan felt somewhat dazed.
First time feeling time pass so quickly.
He subconsciously said: "If not... let Lucian work two more days overtime..."
Cynthia covered her mouth and laughed.
"It's not because of that."
"Then it's..."
She gradually became serious and solemn, looking at Johan quite earnestly:
"I'm preparing to challenge the Champion's Road!"
Champion's Road?!
Johan looked shocked.
Cynthia... was about to become Champion?
But thinking about it.
Made sense.
From after the "Youth World Championship" until now, Cynthia had been training hard.
Lucian had already become Elite Four, so Cynthia... it was indeed time.
As for whether she could succeed...
Of course she could!
Sinnoh region was the first to implement "youth transformation." Cynthia was the most outstanding among Sinnoh's youth, and even if she hadn't reached her peak, it was enough.
If Lance's Kanto Champion's Road was hell difficulty, then Sinnoh's Champion's Road... could only be considered upper-medium difficulty.
Mainly...
Lance had someone in Kanto who countered him perfectly.
While Cynthia in Sinnoh... looking at Lucian, Flint, and Aaron, they were all little brothers and allies.
However, Cynthia still took it extremely seriously, which was appropriate.
Upper-medium difficulty didn't mean it wasn't difficult, just relatively speaking.
After all, it was still the "Champion's Road"!
"Tell me when you're ready, I'll come watch." Johan said.
"You better come!"
Cynthia wrinkled her nose, raising her fist "threateningly" and shaking it twice.
"Door guardian" Garchomp showed its sharp scythe, looking fierce.
In-laws... truly terrifying.
Back in his room.
"Ka-ka-kaah?"
Gengar, lying by the window, met Johan's gaze.
"Yoji! Yoji!"
Below, Larvitar was calling out.
Snap—snap—
Two vines grabbed onto the windowsill, then Snivy quickly climbed up, standing on the windowsill and meeting Johan's gaze.
"Sni! (▼皿▼)"
Snivy not only wasn't afraid, but looked fierce.
These past two days.
Since Snivy joined the team, it went out "leveling" with Gengar and Larvitar every day.
According to Snivy, it had an excellent "leveling spot" here.
Look.
Just returned from "leveling" again.
Facing the "fierce" Snivy, Johan didn't indulge it, showing Gengar's signature evil grin. Under Snivy's "frightened" gaze, he picked it up.
Then held it in his arms for a thorough "rubbing."
"Sni-sni. (≧皿≦)"
Snivy went limp in Johan's arms, losing the ability to struggle.
Hmph.
Still couldn't handle you, little tsundere?
Johan was becoming more experienced with this little one.
"Rest well these two days. We're also going back to Hoenn soon. Then everyone will hold a welcoming ceremony for you."
"Sni~"
There were still many little ones at home who didn't know about Snivy's existence.
Anyway, they'd toured Kalos enough, time to return to Hoenn and reorganize.
Moreover, King AZ was still waiting for his Floette.
Soon.
After some commotion, the room gradually quieted down.
Johan also slowly entered dreamland. In his dream, he dreamed that Deoxys drove a spaceship and took Rayquaza away.
Then Groudon below sighed in relief: "Good thing I can't fly."
Kyogre mocked face-to-face: "That green caterpillar is nothing special."
Hoenn region.
Devon Corporation headquarters building.
"President!"
The president's secretary hurriedly ran into the president's office, seeing the old president and young master Steven.
"What's wrong? All flustered." The old man looked gentle, asking.
"The batch of ore that Young Master Steven brought back..." The secretary caught his breath, then continued: "It's reacting with a giant stone at the mining site!"
The old man's gaze sharpened.
"The batch from Petalburg City?"
"Yes."
"What happened?" Steven looked at the old man's serious expression, somewhat puzzled.
Stone reacting with stone was rare but not unprecedented. Why was father so serious?
"Let me go see."
Steven straightened his clothes and stood up.
"No."
But this time, the old man stopped him.
He waved at the secretary.
After the secretary left, facing Steven's confused gaze, the old man took a deep breath. After considering his words for a long time, his voice became somewhat hoarse:
"Steven, I've never told you, but our Devon's 'Infinity Energy' is actually..."
After hearing the old man's account, Steven also put away his relaxed expression.
Infinity Energy!
Also called "Life Energy"!
The key to Mega Stone creation.
Could Hoenn region also have such energy carriers?
Then...
With such a massive carrier as a giant stone appearing, would it cause some changes?
The old man smiled bitterly.
"But hopefully... I'm just being overly worried and cautious."
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Powerstones?
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